They returned slowly by the long turf walk to the statue of Atlas.
"Now," said he, "how should I go about getting an interview with The
McTavish?"
"Well," said Mrs. Nevis, "it will not be for to-day. She is leaving
within the hour for Beem-Tay in her motor-car."
"Oh, then I shall follow her to Beem-Tay."
"If you can do that," said Mrs. Nevis, "I will give you a line to my
sister. Maybe she could help you. She's the housekeeper at
Beem-Tay--Miss MacNish is her name." And she added as if by an
after-thought. "We are twins."
"Are there two of you?" exclaimed McTavish.
"Why not?" she asked, with a guileless face.
"Why," said he, "it's wonderful. Does she look like you?"
"Exactly," said Mrs. Nevis. "Same red hair, same eyes, nose, and faint
spells--only," and there was a certain arch quality in her clear voice,
"_she's_ single."
"And she looks exactly like you--and she's single! I don't believe it."
Mrs. Nevis withdrew her hand from his arm. When they had reached the
door of the Great Tower she stopped.
"If you care for a line to my sister," she said, "I'll write it. You can
wait here."
"I wish it of all things, and if there are any stairs to climb, mind you
take your time. Remember you're not very good at hills."
When she had gone, he smiled his enigmatic smile and began to walk
slowly up and down in front of the door, his hands clasped behind his
back. Once he made a remark. "Scotland," he said, "is the place for me."
But when at length she returned with the letter, he did not offer her
money; instead he offered his hand. "You've been very kind," he said,
"and when I meet your mistress I will tell her how very courteous you
have been. Thank you."
He placed the letter in the breast-pocket of his shooting-coat. "Any
messages for your sister?" he asked.
"You may tell her I hope she is putting by something for a rainy day.
You may tell her The McTavish is verra hard up the noo"--she smiled
very charmingly in his face--"and will na' brook an extravagant table."
"Do you think," said McTavish, "that your sister will get me a chance to
see _The_ McTavish?"
"If any one can, she can."
"Good-by," he said, and once more they shook hands.
A few minutes later she heard the distant purring of his car, and a
thought struck her with dismay. "What if he goes straight to Beem-Tay
and presents the letter before I get there!"
She flowered into swift action, flashed up the turret stairs, and,
having violently rung a bell, flew into her dressing-room, and began to
drag various automobiling coats, hats, and goggles out of their hiding
places. When the bell was answered: "The car," she cried, "at once!"
A few moments later, veiled, goggled, and coated, she was dashing from
the castle to the stables. Halfway she met the car. "McDonald," she
cried, "can you make Beem-Tay in the hour?"
"It's fifty miles," said the driver, doubtfully.
"Can you make it?"
"The road--" he began.
"I know the road," she said impatiently; "it's all twisty-wisty. Can you
make it?"
"I'm a married man," said he.
"Ten pounds sterling if you make it."
"And if we smash and are kilt?"
"Why, there'll be a more generous master than I in Beem-Tay and in Brig
O'Dread--that's all."
She leaped into the car, and a minute later they were flying along the
narrow, tortuous North Road like a nightmare. Once she leaned over the
driver's seat and spoke in his ear: "I hav'na the ten pounds noo," she
said, "but I'll beg them, McDonald, or borrow them--" The car began to
slow down, the driver's face grew gloomy. "Or steal them!" she cried.
McDonald's face brightened, for The McTavish's money difficulties were
no better known than the fact that she was a woman of her word. He
opened the throttle and the car once more shot dizzily forward.
Twenty miles out of Brig O'Dread they came upon another car, bound in
the same direction and also running desperately fast. They passed it in
a roaring smother of dust.
"McDonald," said The McTavish, "you needna run sae fast noo. Keep the
lead o' yon car to Beem-Tay gate--that is all."
She sank back luxuriously, sighed, and began to wonder how she should
find McDonald his ten pounds sterling.